Scientific Approach
PGSC sets up science clubs for students
Dharmendra Joshi
Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, February 28
The Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC) has set up six science clubs for students of different schools in an attempt to make them understand scientific concepts in an interactive manner.

PGSC director Dr R. Sharma made the announcement of setting up five clubs on the occasion of National Science Day on Thursday. The science clubs have initially been established at MGN Public School, Army School, Bawa Lalwani Public School, Christ King Convent School (all in Kapurthala), Saint Soldier Divine Public School and Ambika Public School (both in Jalandhar).

The main aim of setting up the clubs is to lay a strong foundation for the students by inculcating a scientific approach among them, said Dr Sharma.

Earlier, a declamation contest as well as on-the-spot painting and quiz competitions were held for students of different schools at the PGSC to mark science day.

Ishita Mathur of MGN Public School bagged the first position, whereas Manyuvraj Singh of Bawa Lalwani Public School stood second in the declamation contest.

Similarly, Raju of Ambika Public School and Rupidnerjit Kaur of MGN Public School got first and second positions, respectively, in the on-the-spot painting competition.

In the same way, the teams of Christ Convent School and MGN Public School got the first and second places, respectively, in the quiz competition. Besides, Rana of MGN Public School emerged as winner in the logo designing competition.

Talking to The Tribune, PGSC scientific officer Dr Munish Soin said other schools would also be asked to set up science clubs to understand scientific concepts in an interactive manner.

Dr Munish said the PGSC would provide a privilege to the members of the clubs by displaying their interactive science models at the PGSC, the members would be invited to participate in different events to be organised from time to time.

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National science Olympiad: Harninder tops in city
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 28
Harninder Singh Marok, a class XI (medical) student of St Soldier Divine Public School, Kapurthala Road, has done his institute proud by standing first in the city in the 10th national science Olympiad organised by the Science Olympiad Foundation recently.

The student has scored 94.46 percentile while also standing 16th in the state and 185th at the national level. The first level of the examination was held on November 29 and the result was declared yesterday on the internet.

Harninder has already appeared in the state-level test that was held at Kendriya Vidyalya No 1, Jalandhar cantonment, on Sunday. Besides him, two more students of his class, Saavi Khanna and Karan, have won the gold medal in the first level of the examination.

Son of an eye specialist at the civil hospital, Dr Narinder Singh, he had earlier won kudos for standing 13th in north India in an examination conducted by the Aryabhatta Educational Trust. At that time, he was a class VIII student of St Joseph’s Boys’ School. A meritorious student throughout, he had scored 91.4 per cent marks in class X examination last year.

Aspiring to be a doctor like his father, Harninder tells that he is his own guiding force. “My parents and teachers do not have to tell me to study. I am myself serious about by career and I know that I will be able to attain heights only if I am regular and concentrate on my studies,” he said.

Regarding the test, he said he was able to attempt it well since most of the questions were based on his class XI syllabus for which he was already prepared. “There were multiple choice questions based on biology, physics and chemistry which were not a problem to me,” he added.

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Common man should be on govt agenda for Budget, say city residents
Kusum Arora
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 28
With the Union Budget to be announced on Friday, city residents are looking forward to one of the best people-friendly Budget by finance minister P. Chidambaram. As the general election are approaching next year, the residents are expecting some major changes with relief from the rising prices of essential commodities.

In a tête-à-tête with The Tribune, Jalandhar residents emphasised on some core issues, including the price rise of essential commodities, the problems faced by the exporters, industrialists, the farming sector and the required changes in the income tax slabs.
Gyan Bhandari
Gyan Bhandari

Expressing concern over the hike in steel prices and the decline in the rate of the dollar, exporter, Ambika Forgings, Gyan Bhandari, said, “During the past one year there has been a steep hike in steel prices which in turn has badly hit the industrial sector of the state. There is a need to fix the prices of steel to bring stability in this sector. Steel, which was available at Rs 30 per kg until December, is now available at Rs 41”.

He added, “Even the value of the US dollar has decreased during the past one year, leading to a huge loss to the exporters. As this is the last Budget of the ruling UPA government, we are expecting some relief concerning these issues.” However, the value of the US dollar was at Rs 43 during the last fiscal year, whereas it has reduced to Rs 39.78 in the present time.
Puneet Oberoi
Puneet Oberoi

Terming this as an ‘election Budget’, CA Puneet Oberoi said, “There is no doubt that the Budget will be designed keeping in mind the approaching general election next year. But still there are some taxes which require certain exemptions”.

“The finance minister should increase the existing wealth tax of Rs 15 lakh imposed upon the business community to Rs 50 lakh, including the fringe benefit tax on the employees of the corporate world,” he said, adding that this tax should either be removed or made comprehensible.
Jaswinder Singh Sangha
Jaswinder Singh Sangha

Emphasising the need to waive off the loans on the farming community, Jalandhar Potato Growers Association general secretary Jaswinder Singh Sangha maintained, “It is an irony that though Punjab is an agricultural state, not much has been done for the welfare of the farmers. They should be given loans on low interest rates. Above all a scheme for crop insurance should also be included. There is a dire need to introduce some effective schemes to uplift the farmers.”

But those who have bore the brunt of the inflation not only include the big businessmen and corporate houses but the common people as well. Perhaps that is why over the last some days there has been a steep hike in the prices of essential commodities.

Maintains Kuldeep Kaur, “Whether it is the prices of milk, tomato, pulses or other essential commodities, the common man is facing problems in maintaining his monthly budget.”

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Gold Gym slashes membership fee
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 28
Gold Gym, one of the largest gym chains in the world, formally inaugurated its Jalandhar centre here today. The inauguration ceremony was done by Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Avinash Chander.

The gym is equipped with the latest international and world-class fitness machinery with a yearly membership on reduced prices of Rs 22,000 on the occasion of Baisakhi. The gym also includes additional facilities of steam and sauna, massages, nutrition and an oxygen bar to go with exclusive lockers, members lounge and travel passport as well.

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Young World
National Science Day observed
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 28
The eco-club of Government Middle School, Tahli Mohalla, observed National Science Day on Thursday. A poster-making competition was organised in which Gurmeet Singh stood first, Hem Raj second and Bhawna third.

Science teacher Sanjeevan Singh Dhadwal apprised the students of the importance of the day when CV Raman became the first Asian scientist to have won the Noble Prize.

Nanotechnology

A lecture on “Nanotechnology and its advancements” was organised by Kanya Maha Vidyalaya on Wednesday. Dr Lalit Mohan Bhardwaj, head, department of bioelectronics and nano devices, Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), was the resource person.

He said while earlier the nature had worked as a nano-technician but now scientists were combining nano-techniques with biological systems to mimic the nature.

The scientist gave examples of lotus as a self-cleaning material, moth as a sensor and human brain as a super computer. He termed the technology as a study of design, creation, synthesis, manipulation and application of functional materials. He said the market was already flooded with nano paints catalysts, medicines, jewellery and cosmetics.

Blackboard writing

An inter-college blackboard writing and sketching competition was organised at the MGN College of Education. Nearly 15 colleges participated in the event in which the team of the Anand College of Education, Amritsar, won the overall trophy.

GNDU toppers

Baby Simrat Singh, a bachelor of multimedia (seventh semester) student of the the Apeejay College of Fine Arts, has stood second in Guru Nanak Dev University by attaining 4,866 marks out of 5,400. A fifth semester multimedia student of the same college has stood first securing 3463 marks.

Youth festival

Polytechnic eves from the Lovely Institute of Technology have won the second runners-up trophy in the women inter-polytechnic youth festival held recently at SRS Government Polytechnic for Women, Ludhiana. The competition featured nearly 30 polytechnic colleges from across Punjab, with all teams contesting in cultural events.

The giddha team bagged the first prize. In a solo-dance competition, Yojna Sudhir of fourth semester (electronics) won the first prize. In the choreography event, the team (polytechnic) won the third prize.

Alumni meet

A get-together for old students was organised by the Paradise College of Education. Nearly 200 students participated and shared their experiences with their juniors. Students presented a cultural programme to show their love and affection for their seniors. Principal Mona Gupta said the college would soon set up a placement cell for ensuring jobs for its pass-outs, adding that such a unit in education colleges of Punjab was a rarity.

Global Vote Day

World’s annual education programme, World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child (WCPRC), was undertaken at MGN Public School on Friday. The students observed Global Vote Day in this connection. Two polling booths were set up and ballot papers with three names were given to the children. Children from classes V and XII participated. The school is registered as a global friend with WCPRC, said coordinators Sangeeta Bhatia and Ritu Gagneja.

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MC seals beer bar building
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 28
The municipal corporation authorities sealed the premises of a pub-cum-restaurant near BMC Chowk here today. The officials said that the building in which Khadke Glassy beer bar was being run did not have a parking space and a restaurant had been constructed in the basement instead.

Sources said the owner in reply to the notice had admitted that the building was incomplete as yet, making the case even stronger for the officials to act upon.

The bylaws clearly state that an incomplete building cannot be put to use and a completion certificate for the building has to be sought from the MC prior to its opening.

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Office-bearers of journalists’ club declared

Phagwara, February 28
The newly appointed president of Journalist club, Hari Pal Singh nominated its office-bearers with the consent of a panel of four members in a meeting held here on Wednesday.

Vikram Jalota has been appointed as its senior vice president, HS Basra and Taranjit Singh Kinra as vice presidents, Ashwani Kumar Dasour as general secretary, Krishan Lal Goldy as secretary, Jagjit Singh Channa as joint secretary, Chhavi Bhaskar as cashier and Natasha Sodhi as joint cashier and Kulwant Singh has been appointed as the PRO. Besides, Vipan Bedi, Girdhar Sharma, Pradeep Anand and Raman Sharma have been nominated as executive members. — TNS

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One nabbed for cheating
Tribune News Service

Phagwara, February 28
The police here nabbed Pargat Lal of Manguwal village in Nawanshahr district on the charge of cheating persons in the name of sending them abroad.

In a press note issued here on Thursday, Phagwara DSP H.P.S. Khakh said Pargat Lal had been nabbed on the complaint submitted by Som Lal of Khera Colony here.

Som Lal alleged that he had given Rs 95,000 to Pargat Lal for sending him to Dubai but he was sent back from there. After his return, he approached Pargat to return his money but he repaid only Rs 20,000.An FIR was registered under sections 406 and 420 of IPC at the Phagwara police station on February 21. 

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Satguru Ram Singh’s birth anniversary: DC holds meeting

Kapurthala, February 28
Deputy commissioner J.M. Balamurugan held a meeting in connection with organising functions to celebrate Satguru Ram Singh’s 150th birth anniversary.

District representatives of the Namdhari community, freedom fighters and officers were present in the meeting.

The new generation would be apprised of the role of the Kuka movement in freedom struggle and also the life of Satguru Ram Singh during the birth anniversary functions, he added. — TNS

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Letters
Lecturership and bias

Biotechnology is the only science which is being mounted up by the Central government through various agencies like the UGC and the DBT in view of its bright and everlasting future so that India can compete at the world level. However, lecturers having specialisation (PhD) in the various areas of biotechnology are victims of bias in terms of their nature of posts in the institutions, particularly colleges. Although they are highly qualified, they are not getting equal benefits. The Punjab government is providing 95 per cent aid to the general subjects which are less demanding at present and ignoring biotechnology by not providing any kind of grant or aid to its lecturers. There are two categories of lecturers - uncovered (regular) and covered (so-called permanent, 95 per cent aid). The education minister should remove this bias by providing cover to the lecturers in this area of education, particularly in colleges.

— Dr Arun Dev Sharma, Jalandhar

Readers, write in

Readers are invited to write to us on civic and other public issues, your grievances about government negligence and ineffectiveness and apathy of officialdom. Send your mail, in not more than 150 words, at jalandhar@tribunemail.com or jalandhartribune@yahoo.com or write in at: Letters, Jalandhar Plus, The Tribune, SCO 20, Ladowali Road, Jalandhar.

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